Giants shop Ortiz, eye Finley

Published 4:00 am, Saturday, December 7, 2002

As the Giants race against the clock to re-sign second baseman Jeff Kent by a crucial deadline today, they have also been busy phoning free agents and other teams searching for a replacement in case Kent goes elsewhere.

Meanwhile, one free agent high on the Giants' list, center fielder Steve Finley, appears to be headed for a divorce with the Arizona Diamondbacks, paving the way for San Francisco to sign him if they can come to terms.

Major-league sources say the Giants have called Expos general manager Omar Minaya and asked about Jose Vidro, a solid-hitting second baseman and 2000 National League All-Star who could take Kent's job and be reunited with his old manager, Felipe Alou. Vidro has credited Alou with jump-starting his major- league career.

The Giants also called the Toronto Blue Jays to gauge their interest in pitcher Russ Ortiz, whom the Giants appear willing to deal to attract offense. Alou is said to love Toronto outfielder Jose Cruz Jr., who could play center field. Any deal with the Jays also might include Orlando Hudson, a switch- hitting second baseman and one of the Jays' top prospects.

telling a reporter for baseball's official Web site, "I like Russ Ortiz. I've always liked Russ Ortiz. I saw him in college. I liked him. You look at the numbers he's put up, for a young kid, just unbelievable. You're looking at a guy that's 28 years old, he's pitched in the World Series, has playoff experience."

However, two major-league sources said Ricciardi is steamed with the Giants for not following up their initial phone call. The Giants' reticence may be tied to their more pressing efforts to re-sign Kent and Finley.

If the Giants don't sign Kent today, he is probably gone, because they are not expected to offer him arbitration, a step they must take by 9 p.m. before they can continue negotiations.

Assistant general manager Ned Colletti said Friday night that his talks with Kent's agent, Jeffrey Klein, have become more substantive over the past two days. Colletti characterized the dialogue as "cordial and constructive."

The Giant have intensified negotiations with Finley. Sources said Finley's talks with Arizona were not going well. Finley, like Kent, will be set free if the Diamondbacks can't sign him by today, because they do not plan to offer him arbitration.

Another free agent on the Giants' list, second baseman Ray Durham, will not settle his future as quickly as Finley.

The Giants have spoken with the Cardinals, too. While rumors have focused on outfielder J.D. Drew, a more attainable option would be Fernando Vina, a second baseman who can lead off. Vina's name reportedly has come up in talks.

The common denominator is Ortiz, whom the Giants apparently deem expendable,

perhaps because they have concluded that to attract a top bat they must part with a top arm.

In an interview last week, Ortiz seemed unfazed by the Giants' readiness to move him.

"I don't take too much stock in it," he said. "At the same time, this is something I can't control and I'm not even thinking about it."

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